Topic #1: Self-Concept

Module 3 | Self-Concept: Who Am I?

What are the 2 parts in the process of sense of self?

• self-concept

• self-awareness

What is self-concept?

your concept of who you are; your response to the question, “who are you?”

What is self-awareness?

your ability to think about yourself; your ability to answer the question, “why did you just do that?”

When does our sense of self start developing?

around 18-24 months

What are self-schemas?

mental images of yourself that you use to compare yourself to other people

What is an example of how self-schemas work?

if you perceive yourself as athletic, you’re gonna compare yourself to others based on whether they are athletic or not, and you are more likely to want to be around more athletic people because you relate to them

When do we remember information better?

if it fits into our self-schema

When do self-schemas usually start developing?

in elementary school years

Why do males develop their self-schemas easier?

because they’re more simplistic

What is social comparison?

checking our ideas by comparing them to others’ ideas; the more important the individual, the more relevant the comparison

What is the spotlight effect?

when you believe that people are paying attention to you when they never were

What are illusions of transparency?

when people believe their concealed emotions leak out and other people can easily read their emotional states

What are possible selves?

what you dream of becoming one day; dreams are inspirational while fears are motivational

What are the 2 dominant categories that culture fits into?

• independent view of self (individualistic)

• interdependent view of self (collectivist)

What is the identity of those with an independent view of self?

based on personal traits, characteristics, and goals

What matters to those with an independent view of self?

personal achievement, personal freedoms, making sure your own needs are met

What do those with an independent view of self disapprove of?

conformity

What is the motto of those with an independent view of self?

to thine own self be true; be honest to yourself because you have to look in the mirror at the end of the day

Where do those with an independent view of self tend to live?

the Western world (especially the U.S.)

What is the identity of those with an interdependent sense of self?

based upon connections with other people; social in nature

ex: son/daughter, niece/nephew, sister/brother

What matters to those with an interdependent sense of self?

group goals, social achievements, group solidarity, group happiness

What do those with an interdependent sense of self disapprove of?

egotism; self-centeredness splinters a community

What are the mottos of those with an interdependent sense of self?

no man is an island, it takes a village

Where do those with an interdependent sense of self tend to live?

most places outside the Western world

What’s an easy way to tell whether someone has an independent or interdependent sense of self?

by how they perceive and treat the elderly; individualistic societies tend to view them as nuisances, while collectivist societies view them as wise, important and useful

What are the characteristics of women’s relational interdependence in relationships?

• they view relationships as an avenue to talk about problems with others

• they put a priority on developing and maintaining relationships

• the greater the relationship, the greater of a sacrifice they are willing to make

• they are more focused on sharing and how other people view them

What are the characteristics of men’s collective interdependence in relationships?

• they like being part of groups (memberships)

• they think forming deeper bonds is insignificant

• don’t cry, don’t show weakness, be tough

What is self-knowledge?

introspection - examining your motives/thoughts; you have to be aware of them in the first place

What are the 2 ways that we use to try to explain behavior?

• self-perception theory

• motivation

What is self-perception theory?

the concept that people develop their attitudes and character traits by observing their own behavior

What are the 2 types of motivation?

• intrinsic (internal)

• extrinsic (external)

What is intrinsic (internal) motivation?

private; unless you tell people, no one is going to know your motivation level but you (unless you tell them); drives people to be better

What is extrinsic (external) motivation?

rewards and punishments; if the reward isn’t worth it, there’s no motivation to get it done

ex: college rewards you with a degree, which allows you to get a career and earn money

What are we almost always wrong about when it comes to feelings?

intensity (more intense than they actually are) and duration (will last longer than they actually do)

What is causal theory?

using incorrect information to predict our feelings

What is impact bias?

tendency to overestimate the lasting impact of an emotion-affecting event